Extraordinary footage has emerged of the incredible moment a missing little boy who sparked a three-hour search was reunited with his frantic family.
Xavier Death’s family raised the alarm shortly after the three-year-old toddler vanished from a home in Angus, near Riverstone in Sydney‘s north-west, at about 2.35pm on Monday.
Police launched an urgent search, with significant concerns for his welfare due to his young age.
Officer, with the help from the community, spent more than three-and-a-half-hours looking for him
Xavier was found safe and well by a member of the public at about 6.10pm, more than 1km from where he went missing.
Flanked and comforted by relieved family members, Xavier’s emotional father fought back tears as he hugged his son close to him.
‘I’d like to thank absolutely everybody who showed up to try and help my little fella find his way home,’ Mr Death told reporters.
If it wasn’t for the community I think we really would’ve struggled through the night trying to find him.
‘I’d also like to really thank the guy that found him, I can’t remember his name but I really appreciate him.’
When asked by reporters why he left the house on his own, Xavier said he had been looking for kangaroos before getting lost.
Xavier’s father said if it were not for his helpful neighbours his son might not have been found.
Luckily. Xavier was wearing warm clothing when he ventured off.
The man who found him asked Xavier if he needed help but the boy was initially distracted by a passing kangaroo.
Xavier was reunited with his dad after going on an adventure ‘looking for kangaroos
The three-year-old had gone missing near Riverstone at 2:35pm and was found 1km away more than three hours later
The sun had set during the search for Xavier ‘way before they found him’, according to his dad, and temperatures had also dropped in the area.
‘Following a large scale search and a geo-targeting message alert sent to the local area, the boy was found by a community member about 6.10pm,’ a statement read.
‘Riverstone Police would like to thank the community for their assistance.’
